It doesn’t have to be catastrophic to pack up your life and move down the street or across the world. Follow these residential moving tips, and before you know it, you can relax in your new room.
Ideally, weeks or even months in advance, you’ll know about a transfer (even though you’re not sure of the final destination). Start by packing items that are off-season and the items you won’t forget. Many things will already be ready to go when it’s time to pick them up. You will not be concerned about not getting all packed in time in the exhausting final weeks and days just before the transfer.
Start gathering in one folder new addresses, rental or purchase documents, moving contracts, and more. In the event that computer or phone batteries fail during the move, consider a physical copy, rather than a digital one. If any issues arise during the planning phase or the move itself, the response (and records of agreements, payments, and more) will be available.
Book early if you hire residential moving services, rent supplies, or have services like painters or cleaners working on the building. Waiting to do so could mean paying a higher price, particularly if it’s peak moving season, or not being able to get a truck or movers at all.
Tuck daily necessities on the night before the transfer, a change of clothing, a toothbrush, must-have stuffed animals or toys for the kids, medical prescriptions, papers, etc., into a suitcase or bag that you can keep in the car, the truck cab, or on the plane with you. If a tragedy happens and the moving truck gets misplaced, you’ll at least have some things with you.
It can be difficult to load all your possessions into boxes, bags, and more. By cutting back on waste and clutter as much as possible, make things a bit easier on yourself. Do a ruthless purge of unused or unwanted things until you pack a single package. You’ll have less to pack, less to travel, and less to unpack, and you’ll begin life with a clean slate in your new house.
To stock up on supplies a few days before the big step. When packing boxes or making sure everyone is out of the door, the last thing you want is to have to rush to the shop. Box cutters, adhesive bandages, permanent markers, packing tape, paper towels, and garbage bags may be ordered or purchased. If not all of them are used during the transfer, they will still be helpful afterward, especially during unpacking.
Consider leasing moving tools from a moving company for larger moving equipment. (They’ll definitely have their own if you employ a residential moving service.) If you travel very often, you might be better off buying these tools. Be sure to have a furniture dolly, furniture pads or covers, and tie-down straps or rope at your disposal during the transfer, either by purchasing, renting, or borrowing.
Contact your electricity suppliers once the dates are finalized to arrange service at your new home. Tired of driving, you don’t want to get there to find that the power, water, or heat is off. Schedule it in advance, and keep track in the moving folder of your requests. At the same time, frequent service stops for your move-out date at your current home.
You desperately need a truck with a ramp if you’re a DIY mover. Renting a truck without one could be cheaper, but the hassle and struggle of lifting every box and piece of furniture high enough to get it into the truck would add hours to your moving plus sore muscles.
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